2015 Ford F-150 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2015 Ford F-150 has a Complaint Index of 80, ranking 5th worst among 21 model years and earning an Avoid verdict. Owners logged 1,710 complaints, 13 recalls, 50 crashes, and 3 deaths, with transmission and powertrain issues topping the list.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 80/100
- #5 of 21 F-150 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 1,710
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 13
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 50
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 13
- Injuries
- 80
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 19.5
- 17 city / 23 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 80 / 3
Top 2015 Ford F-150 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain406 (24%)
- Engine393 (23%)
- Brakes334 (20%)
- Structure & Body222 (13%)
- Other209 (12%)
- Electrical System186 (11%)
- Visibility & Wipers97 (6%)
- Steering83 (5%)
- Fuel System80 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires58 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy during crashes at various speeds, including a 40 mph collision that left the driver with serious head injuries.
- Some owners reported airbag deployment causing burns, melted seat belts, or fire near the B-pillar after a crash.
- Brake pedal was pressed hard but the truck failed to slow down before hitting the vehicle ahead.
- A tire sidewall defect caused a blowout that made the truck pull hard right and sideswipe another vehicle.
- Structure and body complaints included seat belt failures and door or panel damage after low-speed incidents.
2015 Ford F-150 recalls
13 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V237000Apr 14, 2026Transmission & Powertrain1,392,935 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 F-150 vehicles. A loss of signal between the transmission range sensor and the powertrain control module can cause the transmission to unexpectedly downshift into second gear.
Risk: Unexpectedly downshifting into second gear may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 24, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S28. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 15, 2026.
- NHTSA 20V332000Jun 8, 2020Brakes292,311 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2017 F-150 pickup trucks equipped with 3.5L Ecoboost engines. The brake master cylinder may leak brake fluid into the brake booster.
Risk: A loss of brake fluid may result in a change in brake pedal travel and feel, increased pedal effort and reduced front brake function, possibly requiring greater effort and distance to stop the vehicle. These conditions can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake master cylinder and inspect the brake booster, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. Ford issued owners an interim notification on June 30, 2020. The recall began on October 28, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S31.
- NHTSA 20V098000Feb 21, 2020Engine13,854 vehicles
Engine
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2016 F-150 pick-up trucks equipped with 3.5L GTDI engines and block immersion heaters that were potentially relocated from their originally installed location. The incorrect location could put the heater too close to hot engine components, possibly resulting in a damaged cable.
Risk: A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the block heater's location and its cable, replacing components as necessary, free of charge. If the replacement parts are not available, dealers will disable the existing block heater cable from being used until parts become available. The recall began April 9, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S08.
2015 Ford F-150 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17 MPG
- Highway
- 23 MPG
- Combined
- 19.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,325
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2015 compared with other F-150 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2015 Ford F-150 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2015 F-150 ranks 5th worst out of 21 model years with a Complaint Index of 80 and an Avoid verdict. Transmission and powertrain problems account for 24% of complaints.
- What are the most common problems with the 2015 Ford F-150?
- NHTSA data shows Transmission & Powertrain (24% of complaints, median mileage 82,500), Engine (23%, median mileage 58,100), and Brakes (20%, median mileage 51,000) are the top problem areas.
- Does the 2015 Ford F-150 have a transmission recall?
- Yes. Recall 26V237000 covers a loss of signal between the transmission range sensor and powertrain control module that can cause an unexpected downshift; Ford will update the powertrain control module software.
- How many recalls does the 2015 F-150 have?
- NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns for the 2015 F-150, covering transmission, brakes, engine block heaters, structure/body door latches, and seat belts, with none classified as do-not-drive.
- How does the 2015 F-150 compare to other years?
- The 2015 model's Complaint Index of 80 is worse than most earlier years like 2005-2010 (all rated Good) but better than 2013 (index 100) and 2018 (index 95), which rank as the worst years.